Browns New Uniforms To Be “Cutting Edge” And Unveiled Prior To 2015 Draft

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 03: The new Cleveland Browns jersey is displayed during the unveiling by Nike as they begin their partnership with the NFL at Steiner Studios on April 3, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)

(Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)

CLEVELAND (92.3 The Fan) – Since Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam announced he was planning a uniform makeover for the team, fans have been anxiously awaiting the unveiling of the new look.

The anticipation was ramped up Monday when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers unveiled their new uniforms garnering mixed reviews – anything from fantastic to downright ugly and everything in between.

In an interview with Bull and Fox on 92.3 The Fan Tuesday afternoon, team president Alec Scheiner shed some light on the new duds which are in the works for the 2015 season.

“We’ll have cutting-edge uniforms that link back to our history,” Scheiner said. “I don’t want to speak about the Bucs uniforms, but I’m really excited about our direction. We’ve been working with the NFL and Nike for almost a year now.”

Browns fans have been known to be traditionalists, and extremely sensitive when it comes to what the team wears on the field.

To many, the helmet is absolutely off limits for any type of change. Owner Jimmy Haslam agrees and has said repeatedly that it would not be changed in 2015.

But why not change it up?

Believe it or not the original helmet color in 1946 was not orange, it was white. The team added a separate orange helmet for night games in 1950 and a white stripe was added to it in 1952. From 1957–60 brown player numerals adorned the side of the helmet and in 1960 the brown-white-brown stripe was added and has remained since.

Aside from the color of the face-mask, which has alternated between gray and white over the years, the overall helmet design hasn’t been changed since 1961.

The Browns could still honor the storied tradition, but why not go with a metallic orange, matte orange or a different shade of orange? Why not change or tweak the brown and white stripe down the middle?

There would be no harm in completely modernizing every aspect of the uniform – including the helmet – as long as the primary color remains orange and without a logo.

Many artists around the country have been drawing up themed uniforms for every NFL team from ‘English Premiere League’ styles to even a ‘Star Wars’ theme and the designs – including altered helmets for the Browns – have been intriguing.

What is clear is that many fans and the players would like to see a refreshed, and more modern look.

“We have another year until we roll out our uniforms,” Scheiner said. “I’d be very surprised if our fans don’t love our new-look uniforms. I think we’re headed down a really cool path.

“I don’t know exactly when [they’ll be unveiled], but it will be next year before the draft.”

In addition to new threads, the team is also planning a new primary logo and team script, which right now is just a drawing of the team’s orange helmet and simple block lettering.

The Brownie Elf is popular among old school fans and the players like it too, so maybe the team could modernize the elf to use prominently. The Browns introduced a new brownie mascot last season.

Since Nike assumed the design and manufacturing of the league’s uniforms in 2012, the Seattle Seahawks, Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, and the Buccaneers have changed their look – some for the better, others the worse.

Cleveland Browns beat writer and member of the Pro Football Writers of America | Over the past 17 years, Ruiter has covered major sporting events including the Cleveland Browns, Indians, Cavaliers, ALDS, ALCS, NBA Playoffs, NBA Finals,...